Health Ministry: No approval for products claiming to cure dengue, Zika

KUALA LUMPUR: The Drug Control Authority (DCA) has never approved any herbal products that claim to cure or prevent dengue, Zika or Chikungunya, says the Health Ministry.

Its director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pic) said that the ministry had received complaints about herbal products advertised on social media that claimed to be able to cure as well as prevent dengue fever.

“The ministry would like to emphasise that all advertisements for products registered with the DCA need approval from the Medicines Advertisements Board of the Health Ministry before they are advertised publicly.

“Legal action can be taken on a published medicine advertisement if it is published without the approval of the board as per the Medicines (Advertisements and Sales) Act 1956,” he said in a statement Wednesday (Feb 13).

If found guilty, the individual or company involved could be fined not more than RM3,000 or jailed not more than one year, or both, said Dr Noor Hisham.

The ministry advised people not to easily believe doubtful claims made by any products, he said.

Any doubts about any medical products should be directed to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency https://www.npra.gov.my/index.php/public-enquiry-complaints/contact-us or the public can call 03-7883 5400 or email [e-mail], he said.

The ministry urged people to continue to carry out dengue, Zika and Chikungunya preventive activities by controlling the spread of Aedes mosquitoes, such as ensuring containers were cleared of water or removed, while containers containing water should have larvicide added.

Those experiencing dengue-like symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pains, rashes, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache or fatigue should seek medical attention, Noor Hisham said.